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Guide To Memorial Day Happenings Around Metro Detroit

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With Memorial Day generally marking the beginning of summer, many people have plans to get outdoors, especially after our daunting Michigan winter. Cookouts, picnics and other get-togethers with family and friends are the norm, but if you’re one of those “last minute” people who doesn’t have anything scheduled this Memorial Day, look no further.

There is no lack of events this Monday in Detroit and the surrounding areas which look to honor the our country’s fallen heroes and returning veterans.

The 2014 Memorial Day Parade will begin at the American Legion Post home on Churchill and moves to the cemetery on Squirrel for a short ceremony then travels to the MOMS plaque for a short ceremony and culminates at the American Legion Post. Immediately following the parade there will be a family fun event until 3 p.m. featuring a craft show, inflatables, face painting and the Auburn Hills Police Department offering free child ID kits.

Beverly Hills

Memorial Day Parade and Carnival

The 33rd annual Memorial Day Parade begins at 11:00 am from the Groves High School Evergreen parking lot, travels north on Evergreen to Beverly, east on Beverly and concludes at the Park. The Carnival is from Noon to 3:00 p.m. Food, ride and games will be available. At 1:00 pm a Commemoration will be held at the flag pole near the pavilion. The Groves Band will also be holding a silent auction during the Carnival to raise funds for their trip to London at the end of this year.

Birmingham

Birmingham Michigan Memorial Day Service

Shain Park (151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI48009)

Program includes addresses of historical interest, popular songs, wreath laying at the monuments and live music provided from Birmingham’s Straw Hat Band. This year the city observes the 150th anniversary of its founding during the Civil War. The Birmingham Historical Society will mark the occasion with a special presentation and at 1:00 pm will conduct a tour of historic Greenwood Cemetery with emphasis on local heroes who served our country during the Civil War. After the program, everyone is welcome to refreshments at the Allen House, site of the Birmingham Historical Museum, at the intersection of Maple and Southfield Roads.

Come join the American Legion Post in honoring our fallen heroes each Memorial Day with a brief ceremony and a twenty-one gun salute in honor of our fallen men and women in service. God bless them all! Ceremony starts at 10 a.m.

The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council (DAWVC) will pay tribute to those who gave their lives for our country and also honor modern-day soldiers during the 90th annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26. Organizers especially encourage those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to join the march down Michigan Avenue that steps off at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited to stay at City Hall Park for a noon ceremony that includes an address by Grand Marshal MSgt “Spanky” Gibson and from 1 – 3 p.m., a Great All-American Hero Picnic.

Following the Parade there will be a Ceremony for Fallen Vets. Five veterans who died without resources and whose remains have been in Michigan funeral homes for three decades will be honored during Dearborn’s Memorial Day observances. The DAWVC is conducting a funeral procession at 9:40 a.m. on Memorial Day before the traditional Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. Military service honors will be offered for the men during the noon Remembrance Ceremony at City Hall.. They will be interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery soon.

Detroit

Movement Festival Detroit 2014
Hart Plaza

Movement Electronic Music Festival is an annual three-day event held during Memorial Day weekend celebrating Detroit’s electronic music legacy. The festival takes place inside Hart Plaza – Detroit’s iconic riverfront park – and features: five technologically-rich outdoor stages; more than 100 artists; free Wi-Fi access on the grounds; a posh VIP setting located behind the main stage; dozens of official afterparties; an interactive technology center featuring the hottest gear in the industry; and several art displays to stimulate the senses. Over 107,000 people from around the globe attended the 2013 festival.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. in front of City Hall and heads north on Gratiot Ave. to Stephens (9 1/2 Mile), where marchers will head east on Stephens to Kennedy Park. There will be a brief ceremony at the gazebo at Kennedy Park. Vietnam veteran Robert Lutz is the parade grand marshal. Parade will feature 30-35 marching units, including the East Detroit High School Marching Band, veterans groups and many more.

Farmington Hills

Farmington Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Farmington at Grand River Ave.

The Groves Walker American Legion Post 346 and the Xemplar Club of Farmington/Farmington Hills will co-sponsor the 2014 Memorial Day Parade. The parade route will be along Grand River Ave. in Farmington. The parade will start at 10 a.m. near the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Orchard Lake Road and will travel one mile west on Grand River. It will end at Oakland Avenue where a ceremony will take place at the Farmington War Memorial Monument in Memorial Park. There will be a Coast Guard flyover during the event.

Ferndale

Ferndale Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Ferndale at Livernois and West Breckenridge

The 93rd Annual Memorial Day Parade in Ferndale takes place on Monday, the longest running Memorial Day Parade in Michigan. The parade officially starts at 10 a.m on Livernois at West Breckenridge, and heads north. The parade will march east on Maplehurst, south on Woodward, west on Nine Mile, and south at Livernois, ending at the Memorial Mall in front of Ferndale Fire Station #1.

This five day festival includes a carnival, refreshment tent including live music, baseball exhibition games, a talent contest, car show, bingo, Texas Hold Em and culminates with the Memorial Day Parade. The park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. A schedule of events can be found here.

Huron-Clinton Metro Parks

Metroparks Golf Courses Honor Heroes on Memorial Day

In recognition and appreciation of the bravery and commitment of America’s everyday heroes, the Metroparks Golf Courses are proud to offer active and retired police officers, firefighters and military personnel a unique Memorial Day Offer. By redeeming this coupon, heroes will be able to golf 18 holes at their favorite Metroparks course for the price of 9 holes. Each hero will also receive a free cart with their round.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks operates eight regulation and two par-3 courses. Because of inconsistent weather, golfers are advised to always call ahead to confirm course conditions and play. For additional information or to schedule tee times, contact the golf course of choice, call 1-800-23-GOLF-4 or visit www.metroparks.com.

Rental golf clubs, golf accessories, beer, wine and food are available at most golf starter buildings. Coolers are not allowed on the courses. A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $30 annually for regular admission, $20 annually for seniors or $7 daily. The daily permit offers a $5 coupon, good that day only, off greens fees; not valid with league play or outings.

Northville

Northville Michigan Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Northville at Main and Griswold

VFW Post 4012 presents the 2014 Memorial Day Parade which kicks off at 10 a.m. from Main and Griswold, proceeds west on Main to Wing, south on Wing to Cady, west on Cady to First, south on First to Fairbrook and over to Rural Hill cemetery for the ceremony.

Show your community pride and spirit and join the Novi Memorial Day Parade from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Novi invites all Veterans, bands, scout troops, kids, businesses and other civic organizations to be a part of this wonderful annual community event. Form a group and create a fitting parade entry such as a float to march proudly through Novi showcasing your community pride and spirit! Following the parade, join Novi to honor the sacrifice and service of Veterans for the Memorial Service at the Novi Civic Center.

Michigan’s largest Country Fair annually plays host to 110,000 “stay-cationers” who avoid the traffic, frustration and outrageous gas prices to enjoy the holiday bliss which includes carnival rides, food, dancing, music, casino games, shopping and a kid’s area. The park is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parking is free on the grounds of St. Mary’s’ Prep and general admission is $5 per person or $10 per family (up to 6). More information can be found here.

Plymouth

Plymouth Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Plymouth

To honor the men & women who served in the military. This Memorial Day, drivers can expect that there will be a number of downtown Plymouth Road Closures due to the Memorial Day Parade and Service. The Parade is expect to be on Main Street starting at 9:00 a.m. and moving from Wing and Main to the intersection of Church and Main near the Veteran’s Park. Parade Begins at 9:00 am with a Ceremony at 10:00 am at Veteran’s Memorial Park (Assembling at Harvey & Wing, beginning at 8:00am).

Roseville

Roseville Memorial Day Parade

The Parade begins at Common and Pinehurst Roads at 10 a.m. and will proceed east on Common to the City Hall Plaza.

Royal Oak

Royal Oak Memorial Day Community Parade
Downtown Royal Oak at S. Main Street and Harrision

The Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 26th, beginning at 9 a.m. The parade route starts at South Main Street and Harrison, heading North to 2nd Street, then East to the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza where the Annual Memorial Service will be held.

The City of Troy hosts its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26 at 11 am at Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of Troy City Hall. Join others to honor fallen men and women who served our country to ensure our freedom with memorializing speeches, music and reflection. USMC Gunnery Sergeant John Heine, Marine Corps Liaison at Tacom will be the keynote speaker. The ceremony will also include music from the Heritage Concert Band of Troy, the dedication of new veteran memorial bricks and the laying of a Memorial Wreath. The public is welcome to attend. The ceremony will last approximately one hour. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Department at 248.524.1147.

Waterford

Waterford Michigan Memorial Day Parade
Dixie Highway & Sashabaw Rd

The parade starts at Dixie Highway and Sashabaw roads. Parade heads north to a ceremony at the Drayton Plains Cemetary at the end of the parade.

Come and enjoy a full breakfast with your friends! The breakfast runs from 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. and includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice, coffee and milk. Drink specials will be available at additional cost. There will be a ceremonial flag raising at 12 p.m. Cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (under 10). All proceeds benefit the WLCL Fireworks Fund.